City of Laurel: It's 'Laurel,' not 'Yanny'

Similar to 2015’s “the dress” fiasco (blue and black or white and gold?), the internet is once again divided about what they perceive — and this time it’s over an audio clip featuring the possible pronunciation of “Laurel.”

Youtube personality Cloe Feldman posted a clip on Twitter Tuesday, asking people whether they heard a robotic voice say the word “Yanny” or “Laurel.” Since then, the post has received more than 60,000 likes and more than 90,000 retweets.

For the record, the mayor of Laurel, Md., a small city in northern Prince George’s County, hears “Laurel,” and so does the city administrator, according to Audrey Barnes, a spokeswoman for the City of Laurel (She also heard “Laurel,” she noted).

Barnes stated in an email to The Baltimore Sun that #YannyvsLaurel has been a topic of conversation on the city government’s Facebook page after she posted an article about “Yanny vs. Laurel” early Wednesday. The post has received more than a dozen shares and more than 40 comments.

“I hear Laurel, too. And while some of our co-workers can only hear ‘Yanny’ or ‘Yary,’” Barnes wrote, “we know it only says ‘Laurel.’”

Other Marylanders aren’t so sure.

“I was born and raised in Laurel. All I hear is ‘Yanny,’” said one Twitter user.

“I hear ‘Yanny’ - my husband hears ‘Laurel’ We are both from Maryland,” tweeted another user.

Some humorously embraced the debate.

“Decided to open up Yanny Brewing Co., in Laurel, Maryland,” said one user.

“All this time I thought I lived near Laurel Maryland.. Turns out it’s now Yanny Maryland,” tweeted another.

Meanwhile, Laurel’s police department is playing along, tweeting links to the audio clip and their own #YannyvsLaurel poll. Of more than 20 votes, 75 percent say it’s “Laurel.”

The Laurel police did not immediately repond to a request for comment Wednesday.